diff --git a/services/logging/Jenkinsfile.data-prepper b/services/logging/Jenkinsfile.data-prepper
index 90d2ae2b..deb6192f 100644
--- a/services/logging/Jenkinsfile.data-prepper
+++ b/services/logging/Jenkinsfile.data-prepper
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ spec:
   parameters {
     string(name: 'HARBOR_REPO', defaultValue: 'registry.bstein.dev/streaming/data-prepper', description: 'Docker repository for Data Prepper')
     string(name: 'IMAGE_TAG', defaultValue: '2.8.0', description: 'Image tag to publish')
+    booleanParam(name: 'PUSH_IMAGE', defaultValue: false, description: 'Publish image artifacts (manual release only)')
     booleanParam(name: 'PUSH_LATEST', defaultValue: true, description: 'Also push the latest tag')
   }
   stages {
@@ -48,7 +49,10 @@ spec:
         }
       }
     }
-    stage('Build & Push') {
+    stage('Build & Push (optional)') {
+      when {
+        expression { return params.PUSH_IMAGE }
+      }
       steps {
         container('kaniko') {
           withCredentials([usernamePassword(credentialsId: 'harbor-robot', usernameVariable: 'HARBOR_USERNAME', passwordVariable: 'HARBOR_PASSWORD')]) {